Feed and delivery mechanism for printing presses



= March 1, 1949. vc. i zuPP 2,463,058

FEED AND DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed July 5, 1947 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Y INVENTOR. 7 19. w/LL/AM C. RUPP T O )ENEY-S March 1, 1949. w. c. RUPP I 2,463,058

FEED AND DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed July 5, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. L 1 BY WILL/AM c. 72UPP ATTo QNEY w. c. RUPP March 1, 1949. r

v FEED AND DELIVERYMECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed July 5, 1947 5 sheets-sheet s INVENTOR;

WILLIAM CJEuPP BY 7 g g 06m 5 ATTOMEXS Patented Mar. 1, 1949 UNITED STATES i ATENT OFFICE FEED AND DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR. PRINTING PRESSES Application July 5, 1947, Serial No. 759,036

This invention relates, as indicated, to feed and delivery mechanism for printing presses, and more particularly to a novel and improved feed table and delivery table so arranged as to permit very rapid operation.

The feed and delivery mechanism of this invention is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with a platen printing press of the type described in considerable detail in Root Patent No. 2,081,958 although it may, of course, obviously be employed in conjunction with various other types of presses. It is often desired to print short runs of relatively small sheets but it is ordinarily inefficient to do so on a press designed to handle much larger sizes of sheets. On the other hand, not all print job operators can afford to acquire a variety of presses to handle various sizes of stock. It is there-fore a primary object of my invention to provide means whereby a printing press may be adapted to print a plurality of relatively small sheets or envelopes at one time.

It is another object of my invention to provide a new and improved feed table adapted to facilitate high-speed, high-production operation.

A further object is to provide a new and improved delivery table of simple construction but adapted to receive a plurality of stacks thereon.

Still another object of my invention is to provide feed and delivery tables capable of supporting and positioning a plurality of stacks but which are so operated and arranged that the press operator may remove and replace the stacks with a minimum of effort and in a minimum time.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of my new feed table and delivery table;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the feed table shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of such feed table in its uppermost position;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 4 but Claims. (Cl. 271-3) 2 showing the arrangement of the elements when the feed table is in the Fig. 3 position;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the delivery table showing the side jogging mechanism; and

Fig. '7 is a side elevational view of such delivery table and jogging mechanism.

The particular embodiment of my invention thus illustrated is especially designed for the handling of two stacks of envelopes or the like whereby two such envelopes may be fed to the platen and printed simultaneously.

Referring now to such drawings, a feed table column t is mounted for vertical movement in a bracket 2 carried by the main frame 3 of the familiar platen, or Gordon type, printing press. A collar 4 is adjustably secured to such column by means of a set screw and is adapted to engage and rest upon an annular rubber bumper 5 mounted on the upper face of bracket 2 thereby supporting such column in such bracket and limiting downward movement thereof. A feed table 6 is carried by the upper end of column I for up-anddown travel relative to back plate 1. Column, table and back plate are all slightly rearwardly inclined so as to support a stack of sheets or envelopes 8 on an angle, as best shown in Fig. 2. Side guides 9 and ID are laterally adjustably mounted on cross rod ll supported in bracket 2. An intermediate guide or register I2 is likewise adjustably mounted on rod H so that it will be apparent that a variety of sizes of stacks may be placed upon the feed table in any position desired to facilitate the feeding of the same to the platen.

A cross shaft I3 provided with a knob 14 on one end is journalled in two brackets l5 and It for both rotative and axial movement. Such brackets and it are secured to back plate I which is, of course, carried by the main frame of the press. Two back stops I! and I8 are mountedon cross shaft l3 adjacent the ends thereof for movement therewith. These back stops are provided with wire hold-down fingers, such as S9, which are adapted to overlie the upper edge of the stack and keep such edge of the envelope from jumping up when the topmost envelope is engaged by the feeder bar of the sheet transfer mechanism (not shown) adjacent its opposite edge. These two back stops l1 and 18 are normally held in erect position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, through the action of a torsion spring 26, one end of which is secured in bracket I6 and the other endof which is secured in a cam member 2! mounted on shaft l3 and secured"- thereto with a set screw. The action of such torsion spring tends to swing the back stops in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, whereby the same engage the respective stacks of envelopes 8. When no stacks are on the feed table, movement of the back stops in this direction is limited by engagement in corresponding notches in the edge of feed table 6.

Torsion spring 20 is also a compression spring tending to urge cam 2| away from bracket l6. Such cam is provided with a finger 22 adapted to engage the side of mm track member 23, as shown in Fig. 4, when the feed table is in its lower position (see Fig. 2). 23 is mounted on column I by means of bracket 24 and travels therewith.

The feed table elevating means is of generally conventional type (see aforesaid Root patent) and includes rack teeth 25 on column 'I and pinion 26 keyed to shaft 27 journalled in bracket2. A worm gear 28 is freely rotatably mounted on shaft 21 and is driven by worm 29 from the main drive of the press. A shiftable clutch 30 is provided engaging a keyway in shaft 27 and normally held in driven engagement with worm gear 28 by means of compression spring 3|. Such clutch is operatively connected to foot treadle 32 :by means of lever 33 and link 34 whereby, on depressing such treadle, worm gear 28 may be disengaged from driving engagement with shaft 21 and pinion 26. When this occurs it is obvious that pinion 26 will turn freely permitting column I and feed table 6 to drop downwardly until arrested by engagement of collar 4 with rubber bumper 5. When treadle 32 is released the column and feed table will at once again begin to rise in timed relation to the action of the sheet transfer means. In order that a rapid final adjustment of the feed table may readily be made a hand wheel 35 is provided on the end of, shaft 36 to rotate bevel gear 31 which meshes with bevel gear 38 keyed to shaft 21. It is thereby possible when a new stack of sheets or envelopes has been placed upon the feed table to quickly elevate such feed table to bring the uppermost sheet into :position for engagement by the sheet transfer means (not shown) without waiting for the feed table to be slowly elevated by the rack and pinion means.

The delivery table 39 is mounted above feed table .6 and is similarly rearwardly inclined. A centrally disposed stop or dividing wall 49 integral with back plate 41 divides the delivery table into two equal portions adapted to receive sheets or envelopes from the corresponding portions of the feed table after the same have been printed. The delivery table does not rise or fall but merely serves as a receptacle for the accumulation of the printed, sheets released thereto by the sheet transfer mechanism. No back stops comparable to stops l1 and i8 are necessary and recesses 42 and 43 are provided in the forward edge of the delivery table to facilitate insertion of the hands of the operator under the two stacks of sheets or envelopes 44 and 45 accumulated on the table. Instead of the stationary side guides 9 and I9 provided in conjunction with the feed table, the delivery table is provided with two side joggers 46 and 41 carried by an axially reciprocable cross shaft 48 journalled in brackets 49 and 50 on the underside of the delivery table. By reciprocating such cross shaft the side joggers are caused alter-- nately to engage the respective stacks of the delivered sheets to insure proper positioning of the same.

The means for thus reciprocating cross shaft Cam track member 4 48 comprises an eccentric cam 5| keyed to the main shaft 52 of the press and engaging cam roller 53 to rock bell crank 54. The head 55 of such bell crank engages the end of a longitudinally reciprocable rod 56 held thereagainst by the action of compression spring 5'! bearing against :bracket 58 and collar 59 secured to rod 56 by a set screw. Collar 59 carried an inclined cam 60 engaging roller 6| on the underside of fiat slide member 62 attached to the end of cross shaft 48. A compression spring 63 between a collar 64 secured to shaft 48 and boss 50 serves to hold such cam roller 6| in engagement with the inclinedface of cam 60. Thus, as cam 5! turns it rocks bell crank 54 thereby reciprocating rod 53 and cam 60 mounted thereon. Reciprocation of cam 60 is effective, as above explained, to cause reciprocation of shaft 48 with side joggers 46 and 41.

From a consideration of the foregoing, the operation of the feed and delivery mechanism will be readily understood and may be explained as follows:

Collar 4 on feed table column I is locked to position the feed table 6 at a point slightly below that effective to bring the top sheets of the stacks into contact with the sheet transfer means. As above indicated, such sheet transfer means may be of the type disclosed in Root Patent No. 2,081,958, and the precise construction and mode of operation of the same is not a part of the present invention. Two stacks of sheets are placed upon the feed table by the operator, one stack being grasped in each hand, and hand wheel 35 rotated suificiently to elevate the stacks into position to be engaged by the sheet transfer means. The feed table continues to rise throughout the printing operation to maintain the tops of the stacks at a constant level in the manner described in such Root patent, for example. The delivered sheets are, of course, accumulated in the two compartments on delivery table 39.

At the start of operation with the feed table in the position shown in Fig. 2, the finger 22 of cam 2| abuts against the side of cam track member 23, as shown in Fig. 4. As the feed table gradually rises, such cam track member 29 is carried upwardly therewith past shaft l3, and since such cam track member is inclined outwardly cam finger 22 eventually slips from the side thereof and engages the inner surface of the cam track as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. When the last sheet or envelope has been fed the press automatically goes into throw-off (non-printing) position and the feed table ceases to rise since it is now engaged by the feeler fingers. The operator then simultaneously steps on treadle 32 causing column I and feed table 6 to drop, as previously explained, and grasps the two stacks of delivered sheets on the delivery table, one with each hand. The operator turns to a table nearby to deposit the stacks of printed sheets and picks up two stacks of unprinted sheets to be placed on the feed table. When the feed table was dropped down, cam track member 23 was caused to move downwardly relative to shaft I3 and cam 2i secured thereto. Cam 2| was thus rocked in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, through engagement of finger 22 with such cam track, likewise rocking shaft l3, back stops I7 and I8 mounted thereon being swun into substantially horizontal position (see Figs. 2 and 5). The feed table is thus unobstructed and the press operator is enabled to place the two stacks thereon withoutany delay. As soon as the stacks are accepts positioned on the feed table the operator pushes in knob l4 to shift shaft B3 to disengage pin 22 from track 23 Torsionspring is then efiective to turn earn 2! to bring finger 22 into engagement with the side of cam track member 23 when knob I4 is released and to rotate shaft I3 to swing the back stops into operative position. During these latter operationsand subsequent to release of tread-1e 3-2 column 5 and feed table 6 have been slowly rising through the action of the rack and pinion means. The operator now turns hand wheel to elevate the stacks the slight remaining distance required to bring the top sheets into position to be engaged by the sheet transfer means.

When the desired number of sheets or envelopes, for example, have been printed the operator will stop the press to change the chase. During this interval the feed table, which will have been dropped as above explained, will not be rising so that when the press is again started the tops of the stacks will be well below the sheet transfer means. Hand wheel 35 will then be turned to quickly elevate the feed table into operative position.

The mechanism of this invention is particularly adapted for relatively short runs where much time is ordinarily lost each time it becomes necessary to replace the stacks on the feed table or change the chase. tables are so arranged that a single operator may remove the printed stacks from the delivery table, lower the feed table, load the feed table, and quickly resume printing, all without shifting from his position before the press. He uses both hands simultaneously when transferring the stacks and the foot treadle not only drops the feed table into loading position but also causes the back stops to swing out to permit of access to the table. the delivery table is above the feed table and obstructs the latter. Obviously this feature is of advantage even when the feed table is supporting but a single stack. iEhe back stops are returned to operative position merely by pushing knob I4 and a few turns of hand wheel 35 avoids any slight delay in waiting for the feed table to rise sufiiciently for the stack to reach the sheet transfer means.

Sheet transfer means of the type described in the Root patent is adapted to feed and deliver a pluralityof sheets at one time by proper positioning of the sucker tips thereon. The mechanism of my invention makes a large number of short runs easy and profitable by greatly increasing the production of press and operator.

It will be understood that the terms stack and sheet as employed in the claims are intended to include envelopes, cardboard blanks, and the like commonly handled by presses of this typ Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such, be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In a printing press, a feed table having two side guides and an intermediate guide for the positioning of two stacks thereon, means operative to raise and lower said feed table, a fixed delivery table directly above said feed table and divided to receive two stacks of delivered sheets, a cross-shaft horizontally supported on the frame The feed and delivery a This is important particularly as of such. press, twoback stops secured to said shaft, resilient means urging said back stops into erect position: respectively to engage such two stacks on said feed table, cam means carried: with said: feed. table; and cam means on: said. shaft adapted-.170 engage said. first cam means to swing said back stop outwardly when. said feed table is lowered, saidi shaft being axially shiftable to disengage said cam from operative relationship to. permit said back stop to return to erect position:

2. In a. printing press, a feed table,.means operative to raise and lower said feed table, a fixeddelivery table directly above said feed table, side guides for the two sides of a stack on said feed table and a back stopadapted; to engage the outer side of such stack together obstructing access to said. feed table, said back stop being mounted on a. cross shaft horizontally supported on the frame of such press, resilient means urging said back stop into erect operative position, and cam means operative to swing said back stop outwardly when said feed table is lowered, said shaft being axially shiftable to disengage said cam means to permit said back stop to return to erect position.

3. In a printing press, a feed table, means operative to raise and lower said feed table, a fixed delivery table directly above said feed table, side guides for the two sides of a stack on said feed table and a back stop adapted to engage the outer side of such stack together obstructing access to said feed table, and cam means automatically operative to swing said back stop outwardly when said feed table is lowered.

4. In a printing press, a feed table, means operative to raise and lower said feed table, a delivery table directly above said feed table, side guides for the two sides of a stack on said feed table and a back stop adapted to engage the outer side of such stack together obstructing access to said feed table, and means automatically operative to swing said back stop outwardly when said feed table is lowered.

5. In a printing press, a feed table, a delivery table above said feed table, a back stop for said feed table, and means automatically operative to swing said back stop out of the way when said feed table is lowered.

6. In a printing press, a feed table, means operative to raise and lower said feed table, a back stop for said feed table, and means automatically operative to swing said back stop to permit access to said feed table when said table is lowered.

'7. In a printing press, a feed table, a crossshaft horizontally supported on the frame of such press, a back stop for said feed table secured to said shaft, means operative to raise and lower said feed table, resilient means urging said back stop into erect stack-engaging position, and cam means operative to swing said back stop outwardly when said feed table is lowered to permit access to said feed table.

8. In a printing press, a feed table, a crossshaft horizontally supported on the frame of such press, a back stop for said feed table secured to said shaft, means operative to raise and lower said feed table, resilient means urging said back stop into erect stack-engaging position, cam means carried with said feed table, and cam means on said shaft adapted to engage said first cam means to swing said back stop outwardly when said feed table is lowered to permit access to said feed table, said shaft being axially shiftable to disengage said cams and permit said back stop to return to erect position.

'9. In a printing press, a feed table, acrossshaft horizontally supported on the frame of such press, a back stop for said feed table secured to said shaft, rack and pinion means operative to raise said feed table, a clutch connecting said REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,567,182 Cheshire Dec. 29, 1925 1,584,789 Megathlin May 18, 1926 1,699,677 Sampson Jan. 22, 1929 1,845,384 Zebelean Feb. 16, 1932 2,027,797 Toppin Jan. 14, 1936 2,060,270 Willats et a1. Nov. 10, 1936 2,069,424

Zeft Feb. 2, 1937 

